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The Last Five: Devils in the Details

by
Leah Hendrickson
/ Chicago Blackhawks

Brent Seabrook scored the overtime winner against NJD on March 27, 2009.

Twenty years ago yesterday, Martin Brodeur made his NHL debut for the New Jersey Devils. Tonight, the Blackhawks face off against the winningest NHL goaltender of all time in Newark. Before the puck drops, take a look back at the recent success and missteps the Blackhawks have had against the Devils.

Nov. 3, 2010: NJD 5, CHI 3

In their only meeting of the season, Bradley Mills scored his first NHL goal with 3:51 left in the third period to snap a tie for the Devils. Chicago rallied to tie the game but would ultimately drop a 5-3 decision. Brodeur left the game in the second period with a bruised elbow.

April 2, 2010: CHI 2, NJD 1 (SO)

Jonathan Toews scored the only shootout goal, bringing the Blackhawks closer to their first division title since 1993. The game-decider was his eighth shootout goal of the season and tied him for the NHL lead in that category.

"We hung in there the whole night,” Toews said after the game. “We got better and better as the game went along."

With less than 30 seconds left in the game, Toews’ screen helped Kris Versteeg’s shot from the right circle find its way to the back of the net, sending the game to overtime. After a scoreless 5 minutes, Toews beat Brodeur with a wrist shot in the first round of the shootout.

Dec. 31, 2009: CHI 5, NJD 1

Toews had a goal and an assist to lead the Blackhawks to a 5-1 win over the Devils. It was the fourth win in five games for the Blackhawks. Coach Quenneville said he liked how the team played as a unit for the complete 60 minutes.

“They made us look tired,” said Brodeur following the Devils’ loss. “They dictated the game.”

March 27, 2009: CHI 3, NJD 2 (OT)

Brent Seabrook’s 55-foot drive from the blue line beat Brodeur at 3:36 of overtime and lifted the Blackhawks to their third straight win. The puck found its way through a heavy screen, including current Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya, who was playing for the Devils at the time.

Fun fact: Dan Aykroyd dropped the ceremonial first puck.

March 17, 2009: NJD 3, CHI 2

New Jersey's one-goal victory gave Brodeur the record for all-time NHL wins. His 552 career victories surpassed those of Hall of Famer -- and Brodeur’s childhood hero -- Patrick Roy. The Devils took a 3-0 lead in the second period and never looked back.